As the Detroit Lions‘ regular season wraps up and the playoffs approach, I’m taking a moment to reflect on some decisions made earlier in the year. With the bye week providing some time to think, I couldn’t help but wonder how some of the free agents many Lions fans were hopeful for turned out. While Detroit ultimately didn’t sign them, I took to social media to ask fans which players they really wanted to see in Detroit this season back in March. Here’s a rundown of the names that came up and how their 2024 seasons have unfolded:
L’Jarius Sneed
This was one of the most talked-about names among Lions fans. While Sneed wasn’t actually a free agent, Detroit was heavily linked to a potential trade for the All-Pro cornerback. With the Lions needing help in the secondary, it made sense that they’d pursue him. Ultimately, though, the Tennessee Titans made the move. Unfortunately for Sneed, his season turned out to be one of the worst of his career. He struggled on the field and was sidelined after suffering a quad injury in Week 6, which ended his 2024 campaign.
Andrew Van Ginkel
I personally didn’t recall many fans calling for Van Ginkel back in March, but several fans mentioned him when I asked. It turns out he had a career year with the Minnesota Vikings, earning a Pro Bowl spot. This would have been a huge pickup for Detroit.
Danielle Hunter
I definitely remember Danielle Hunter being at the top of many Lions fans’ wishlists. His potential seemed like a perfect fit for Detroit, though I also knew that signing him would come at a steep cost. The Houston Texans ended up paying that price, and it paid off. Hunter had a dominant 12-sack season, continuing his high-level play without missing a beat.
Arik Armstead
For a brief time in March, it seemed like Armstead might be headed to Detroit. There was serious interest, but the Lions ultimately chose DJ Reader instead. It turned out to be a smart decision, as Reader has been solid for the team. Meanwhile, Armstead went to the Jacksonville Jaguars but didn’t have the same impact he had in San Francisco. His 2024 season was decent with 36 pressures and two sacks, but not as dominant as expected.
Denico Autry
The potential signing of Denico Autry made a lot of sense, and it’s still a bit strange that the Lions didn’t pull the trigger. Coming off his best season with the Lions’ new defensive line coach, Terrell Williams, Autry seemed like an ideal fit. Unfortunately, he landed with the Houston Texans, but injuries derailed his season, and it wasn’t the strong year many anticipated.
Mike Danna
Mike Danna wasn’t on my radar, but he certainly was on that of Lions fans. He had a solid season with the Kansas City Chiefs, though it was a noticeable step back from his breakout 2023 campaign. His statistics were essentially halved, showing a decline in production.
Jonathan Greenard
Much like Hunter, Greenard was another name that generated a lot of buzz among Lions fans. He cashed in with a hefty contract and went on to have a standout year with the Minnesota Vikings. With 80 pressures and 11 sacks, his production would have been a major boost for the Lions.
Honorable Mentions
There were a few other names brought up by Lions fans, such as Stephon Gilmore and Josh Reynolds. You can get a better sense of the names fans were interested in by checking the comments on my tweet, which show both the prominent mentions and those that were more of a hopeful wish.
So, while the Lions made their choices, some of these players could have been intriguing additions to the team. As we head into the playoffs, it’s fascinating to look back at what could have been.
